Kimkim Trip Reviews for Uganda

4.7
Based on 10 ratings
Read 10 verified reviews by travelers who booked their trip on kimkim. You can also read reviews about kimkim on 3rd party sites including Google, TrustPilot and Yelp.

Great guide, poor accommodation choices
Uganda | Nov 10 - Dec 3, 2022

Jeff
Jeff H.
Union Hill-Novelty Hill, WA | Reviewed on Dec 06, 2022

Gideon, our guide was great, and provided excellent service, and should have been consulted when Vivian was developing our itinerary. The micro-lodges Vivian booked us into were not necessarily the best choices for us, and we suspect a conflict of interest. The Budda Guest House in particular was well out of the way, causing extra travel time.
We will write more about this read more

Gideon, our guide was great, and provided excellent service, and should have been consulted when Vivian was developing our itinerary. The micro-lodges Vivian booked us into were not necessarily the best choices for us, and we suspect a conflict of interest. The Budda Guest House in particular was well out of the way, causing extra travel time.
We will write more about this

Hotel Review
Buddo Guest House
Buddo, Wakiso
Location
Move it to Entebbe
Staff
Training in chicken purchasing. One dinner included meat from an old rooster, and it could not be eaten. It was too tough, and Patricia chipped a filling.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Little space in the bedroom, and awkward arrangement of rooms.
Local specialist: Vivian Kironde
Vivian
Vivian Kironde
Local specialist in Uganda | Reviewed on Dec 10, 2022

Jambo Jeff,

many thanks for your feedback. Thank you for the time for the telephone conversation today.

We are sorry that the Lodges did not match exactly the expectations. We are always trying to find special accommodation that is either fitting into the budget and/or has a special beautiful setting that we think is matching the customers wishes.

Asante sana,

Vivian and team.

Unforgettable trip to Uganda!
Uganda | Aug 13 - Sep 1, 2022

I
Irene F.
Austria | Reviewed on Sep 02, 2022

Our trip through Uganda was amazing!
The tour was perfect organized, our driver and guide Teo (Able Safaris, a local office, 19 days) was perfect, he managed everything in a good way.
The gorilla-tracking, the beautiful landscape, the game drives, the friendly people,.. all that we will never forget! read more

Our trip through Uganda was amazing!
The tour was perfect organized, our driver and guide Teo (Able Safaris, a local office, 19 days) was perfect, he managed everything in a good way.
The gorilla-tracking, the beautiful landscape, the game drives, the friendly people,.. all that we will never forget!

Hotel Reviews
Isunga Lodge
Fort Portal, Uganda

A extremely beautiful lodge! The architecture, the design, everything well deliberated. Nice and professional people, amazing view,..

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Rushaga Gorilla Camp
Bugambira

Nice lodge, nice location, amazing activity (gorilla-trakking), one of our best lodges!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Forest Cottages
Kampala

I would never choose this hotel again! Extremely loud music during the whole night (because it is a wedding hotel), the cleanliness in the room especially the bathroom was disgusting.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Arcadia Lodges Lake Bunyonyi
Kabale
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Kidepo Savanna Lodge
Kampala, Uganda
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Topi Lodge
Kampala, Uganda
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Kontiki Hoima
Hoima
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary and on to Gulu
Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Kidepo Valley National Park
Kidepo Valley National Park
Quality of Experience
Chimpanzee Tracking & Bigodi Community Walk
Kibale National Park
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Lion tracking in Queen Elizabeth National Park
Queen Elizabeth National Park
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Gorilla Tracking/ Village Walk
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Local specialist: Joseph Thuo
Joseph
Joseph Thuo
Local specialist in Nairobi, Kenya | Reviewed on Sep 21, 2022

Hello Irene,

Thanks so much for your review, I'm really happy that you enjoyed your trip, we have taken note of some the hotels that didn’t meet your expectations. Many thanks as well for your patience and kindness throughout, you have been so great during the whole planning process, and it was such a pleasure to work with you. We will definitely share your comments with all the partners involved.

We really appreciate for trusting us with your trip plan. We hope to see you again in the... read more

Hello Irene,

Thanks so much for your review, I'm really happy that you enjoyed your trip, we have taken note of some the hotels that didn’t meet your expectations. Many thanks as well for your patience and kindness throughout, you have been so great during the whole planning process, and it was such a pleasure to work with you. We will definitely share your comments with all the partners involved.

We really appreciate for trusting us with your trip plan. We hope to see you again in the near future with more trips to East Africa (Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda) or any other part of the world.

Best wishes for your future travel journeys.

Many thanks & kind regards,
Joseph

Absolutely perfect! Didn’t have to worry ab...
Uganda | Nov 14 - Nov 24, 2021

Manar
Manar A.
Kuwait | Reviewed on Feb 17, 2022

Absolutely perfect!

Didn’t have to worry about any arrangements. The hotels were exactly what we wanted. Every single hotel was more beautiful than the next. Truly a dream holiday!

Local specialist: Joseph Thuo

Phenomenal Trip! 18-Day Trip to Uganda
Uganda | Jul 31 - Aug 17, 2021

N
Nancy L.
Phoenixville, PA | Reviewed on Aug 23, 2021

We just returned from an 18-day trip. What an amazing experience!!! We want to say it was a Trip-of-a-Lifetime, but we loved it so much, we plan to return. This trip was two years in the making due to Covid restrictions. Thank you, Taf, for coordinating this entire trip for us. It was perfectly planned! And we appreciate your prompt replies to all our concerns prior to going. Once we arrived to Uganda, we realized our fears were due to social media/political issues of our own country. ... read more

We just returned from an 18-day trip. What an amazing experience!!! We want to say it was a Trip-of-a-Lifetime, but we loved it so much, we plan to return. This trip was two years in the making due to Covid restrictions. Thank you, Taf, for coordinating this entire trip for us. It was perfectly planned! And we appreciate your prompt replies to all our concerns prior to going. Once we arrived to Uganda, we realized our fears were due to social media/political issues of our own country. To anyone on the fence of visiting Uganda - Just go! You won't regret it.

Upon arrival to Uganda, we were greeted by Agnes and Nasser. These two took care of our every want and needs. Besides the game drives, we asked for cultural experiences. Each day was exciting and we always looked forward to the next day.

Activities we did:
Jinja - Sunset boat ride to Source of the Nile
Game drive of Murchison Falls National Park
Boat Ride to Murchison Falls, also went to the Top of the Falls
Ziwa Rhino Santuary
Fishing on Lake Victoria
Game drive of Lake Mburo National Park
Long Horned Cattle Milking
Water safari on the Kazinga Channel
Chimpanzee trekking
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park - Gorilla Tracking
Batwa Pygmies Cultural Experience
Tour of a private school with boarding and converse with head teacher
Stopped at the Equator
Tour in Kampala - Idi Amin Torture Chamber
Craft markets
Searched for Shoebill bird
Toured Entebbe arboretum
Local community village experience

I could go on and on about our time in Uganda. Loved every minute of our time there and we were sad to leave. Again, thank you, Taf, for organizing this trip. Thank you, Agnes, for accommodating us on the trip. And thank you, Nasser, for guiding and driving us around the entire time.

Local specialist: Taf Chindove
Taf
Taf Chindove
Local specialist in South Africa | Reviewed on Aug 24, 2021

Dear Nancy

Thank you so much for your kind words and for the detailed account of your trip. I am glad you had a wonderful time and were able to have an adventurous and authentic cultural experience. I will make sure to pass on your kind comments and praise to our partners in Uganda who make us proud every time and loved having you in Uganda.

We trust we will host you again, hopefully you can visit Southern Africa next time. It has been an absolute pleasure to assist you in planning this... read more

Dear Nancy

Thank you so much for your kind words and for the detailed account of your trip. I am glad you had a wonderful time and were able to have an adventurous and authentic cultural experience. I will make sure to pass on your kind comments and praise to our partners in Uganda who make us proud every time and loved having you in Uganda.

We trust we will host you again, hopefully you can visit Southern Africa next time. It has been an absolute pleasure to assist you in planning this trip and thank you for your patience during these uncertain times.

All the best and warm regards to you both
Taf

Gorillas, safari and new Ugandan familia :)
Uganda | May 12 - May 18, 2021

Ivette
Ivette C.
| Reviewed on Jun 03, 2021

Long story short, I have planned this trip since last year but as we all know covid; came along and things got cancelled. My initial contact was Anne; which now I consider her as part of my family. She always responded to my questions and she took time from her busy schedule to meet me at the airport. My journey started with Bob; which he was a great guide. I am a solo female traveler and I never felt unsafe. I had a wonderful experience trekking for the silver back gorillas; it’s a feeling... read more

Long story short, I have planned this trip since last year but as we all know covid; came along and things got cancelled. My initial contact was Anne; which now I consider her as part of my family. She always responded to my questions and she took time from her busy schedule to meet me at the airport. My journey started with Bob; which he was a great guide. I am a solo female traveler and I never felt unsafe. I had a wonderful experience trekking for the silver back gorillas; it’s a feeling you need to experience on your own. The entire team tracking the gorillas and guides were amazing. Never seen how well a group of people worked together in such a remote location to facilitate a great experience. After the trekking I had a wonderful time with game drives, another kudos for Bob because he carries binoculars with him, books of the native animals and he’s well experience and communicates with others within the parks to get you to see more wild life. The accommodations were great, the staff members, the food and service were outstanding; taking in consideration these places are in the middle of nowhere. Driving was fun and relaxing; enjoying the African massage and enjoying the views of various people & scenery. At the end of my trip, I had some discrepancies with CoVid and I had to stay in Uganda. Luckily, I had a best friend at the end of my journey and I was able to get my situation under control and I finalized my trip. Thanks to everyone that made this possible in such a difficult time to travel. Totally recommend!!!

Local specialist: Anne Nakure
Anne
Anne Nakure
Local specialist in Kampala, Uganda | Reviewed on Jun 04, 2021

Dear Ivette,
Thank so much for your great review.
It was an absolute pleasure having you in Uganda.
We look forward to hosting you again.
Best regards,
Anne

Fantastic Uganda trip thanks to KimKim/Natureissan and Vivian!
Uganda | Jan 22 - Feb 1, 2020

E
elizabeth c.
Shaw, DC | Reviewed on Feb 06, 2020

We just returned from an amazing trip to Uganda. Vivian was a true pleasure to work with. She is super responsive and planned us a first-class trip with one week notice. She arranged for the best guide ever in Hamid, who stopped us up at the airport and showed us all over his country for 12 days. We saw the rare African shoebill, chimpanzees in Kibale, lions and elephant in QE park, rare golden monkeys in MGhahinga--each a special trek or exploration. We stayed in beautiful lodges, especially... read more

We just returned from an amazing trip to Uganda. Vivian was a true pleasure to work with. She is super responsive and planned us a first-class trip with one week notice. She arranged for the best guide ever in Hamid, who stopped us up at the airport and showed us all over his country for 12 days. We saw the rare African shoebill, chimpanzees in Kibale, lions and elephant in QE park, rare golden monkeys in MGhahinga--each a special trek or exploration. We stayed in beautiful lodges, especially the Volcanoes Kyambura Lodge. Vivian thought of everything and planned a logical and effective loop to end with an epic trek with a four-hour habituation permit to see mountain gorilla in Bwindi. It was a trip we will never forget, nor will will ever forget our new friend Hamid.

Local specialist: Vivian Kironde

Trip to Uganda
Uganda | Jan 6 - Jan 26, 2019

Seyed
Seyed Z.
Palo Alto, CA | Reviewed on Feb 04, 2019

I planned my very first trip to Africa (specifically Uganda) using kimkim and I could not be happier with the outcome. I was picked up at the Entebbe airport upon my arrival and dropped again at the airport after 3 weeks to fly back, and in between I had quite a few memorable adventures which I will remember for the rest of my life.
Uganda is a wonderful country full of natural parks, lakes, and wild animals, but I should say the most amazing part of my trip was interacting with Ugandan... read more

I planned my very first trip to Africa (specifically Uganda) using kimkim and I could not be happier with the outcome. I was picked up at the Entebbe airport upon my arrival and dropped again at the airport after 3 weeks to fly back, and in between I had quite a few memorable adventures which I will remember for the rest of my life.
Uganda is a wonderful country full of natural parks, lakes, and wild animals, but I should say the most amazing part of my trip was interacting with Ugandan people on different parts of the country. Ugandans are extremely warm and friendly and no matter on which part of the country you see them, they always greet you with warmth and smile and I should emphasize once again that having the opportunity to travel around the country and meeting these wonderful people has been the highlight of my trip.
I had a wonderful and knowledgable guide (Paul Buzinde) who drove me around the country for 21 days. He knew all the roads in the country, the name of all the birds we encountered in the natural parks, and most importantly made utmost effort to make the trip as smooth and enjoyable as possible. I want to use this opportunity to thank Paul for making this trip a memorable experience for me.
If you're interested in visiting Uganda, 3 weeks of road trip should take you to most of the places that tourists generally visit, but if you want to plan a shorter trip then there are some places that in my idea you should definitely visit. In no particular order they are:
1) Kidepo Valley National Park - Many visitors don't go to this place since it's in a pretty remote area but I think a trip to Uganda should definitely include visiting this wonderful natural park. I visited some 6 national parks in Uganda and by far Kidepo was the most beautiful of them because it has a very open savannah where you can see miles and miles of grasslands with overwhelming beauty. Most of my wildlife sightings also happened to be in Kidepo. In addition, since not many people travel to this park, you might easily happen to have the whole park to yourself, which was the case with me while doing my safari. Keep in mind that traveling to Kidepo will also take you through the remote northeast region of Uganda which is home to Karamojong tribe. Consider this as an added bonus in traveling to Kidepo.
2) Murchison Falls National Park - You will not see hippos and crocodiles in Kidepo but there are plenty of them in Murchison, the views of Nile river is just breathtaking, and hiking to the top of the Murchison Falls and seeing the drop from the top is just an amazing experience.
3) Gorilla tracking in Bwindi National Park - Much have already been said about this elsewhere, but I have to emphasize again that tracking gorillas and spending an hour with them is truly, truly a remarkable experience. If you plan to do only one thing in Uganda, this is it.
4) Lake Bunyonyi - Serene, beautiful lake with plenty of isolated islands scattered on top of it. You will have the opportunity to hike on the hillsides surrounding the lake and interact with local people living on the hillsides.
I would have liked to spend more time visiting the villages on the road but unfortunately this is something which I didn't think about before planning my trip. I suggest for anybody who plans to visit Uganda to consider a couple village walks in different regions of the country, specially in the Karamojong region. It will be a wonderful experience.

Local specialist: Sander van Zanten
Sander
Sander van Zanten
Local specialist in Netherlands and Uganda | Reviewed on Feb 04, 2019

Dear Seyed, thank you so much for the wonderful review! Indeed Kidepo and Karamoja are one of the hidden gems in Uganda definitely worth visiting.

Warm regards, and we hope to welcome you again one day!
Sander

Uganda habituation experiences
Uganda | Dec 22 - Dec 28, 2018

K
Kat Z.
San Francisco, CA | Reviewed on Dec 30, 2018

I wanted to travel to Uganda for gorilla habituation, golden monkey habituation, and chimpanzee habituation. Agnes was a great help in answering all my questions promptly, and she helped organize the whole trip itinerary for me given the activities I wanted to do. From the moment I landed in Uganda to the moment I left, everything was well taken care of. I had a great time seeing many different types of primates in Uganda, and I highly recommend Agnes and her tour company.

Local specialist: Agnes Mirembe
Agnes
Agnes Mirembe
Local specialist in Uganda | Reviewed on Jan 01, 2019

Thank you for traveling with us Kat

View Gorillas in Uganda
Uganda | Oct 1 - Oct 7, 2018

W
William G.
Los Angeles, CA | Reviewed on Oct 15, 2018

The trip was fantastic driving from Rwanda through Uganda the experience seeing the people, small towns was wonderful. The Gorilla Trekking was much harder than we thought at 7,500 ft above sea level. We live at sea level. Our idea was doing the Habitational on the first day and a regular trek the following day...bad idea as we were very sore after a 10 hour up and down hills including 4 hours following the gorilla family. Following day we just bailed out of the trek as we needed the rest,... read more

The trip was fantastic driving from Rwanda through Uganda the experience seeing the people, small towns was wonderful. The Gorilla Trekking was much harder than we thought at 7,500 ft above sea level. We live at sea level. Our idea was doing the Habitational on the first day and a regular trek the following day...bad idea as we were very sore after a 10 hour up and down hills including 4 hours following the gorilla family. Following day we just bailed out of the trek as we needed the rest, yet “What an Experience” I even got false charged by the large Silver Back...a real African adventure!
The food at Nkuringo Bwindi lodge was not up to par and I’m not a picky eater so I suggest you make other arrangements at that location. The staff was very nice but even when we write everything we wanted to eat down on paper, it never was correct.... a communication problem. Even Moses our driver translated but it never worked.
The best lodge was Kyaninga. A beautifully log cabin lodge with great food and wonderful staff.
Now for Kim Kim...a great tour company which allows you to deal with the tour operator in the area your traveling in. My questions about our trip were answered within an hour which gave me a feeling of confidence about the upcoming African adventure. Our driver and guide “Moses”was with us at all times if we needed anything... he was great. Overall trip was a 9 out of 10.
Bill & Sue Gordon

Local specialist: Sander van Zanten
Sander
Sander van Zanten
Local specialist in Netherlands and Uganda | Reviewed on Oct 17, 2018

Dear Bill and Sue,
thank you so much for the review, it is wonderfull to see you enjoyed the pearl of africa. Thank you for the feedback about the lodge in bwindi. I will follow it up!

I hope you will come back one time to see the rest of the country!
Warm regards,
Sander

Trip to Uganda
Uganda | Jul 3 - Jul 5, 2018

J
james m.
Saint Augustine, FL | Reviewed on Jul 16, 2018

Aron Mugisha, our guide was incredible. He went out of his way to meet our needs and show us so much more than we had planned on. 5 stars!

My only complaint (which I feel turned more favorable to us) was that our lodging and area to see the gorillas was changed without notifying us. We had no idea until we checked into a new place that was not on the itinerary. All in all, we loved the change...but it would have been nice to be notified.

I will definitely use your services again. Thank you.

Local specialist: Katharina Bertram